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Media Streaming - Multimedia

Multimedia streaming tools and software that handle both audio and video content.
Related categories: Media Streaming - Video, Media Streaming - Audio, Media Management

Jellyfin

Free, open-source media server with apps for all platforms

Kodi

Powerful media center for organizing your collection

Kyoo

Modern media browser with anime support

Gerbera

UPnP Media Server for home streaming

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All Multimedia Streaming Applications

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Complete Media Servers

Jellyfin - Media server for audio, video, books, comics, and photos with a sleek interface and robust transcoding capabilities. Clients available for all major platforms. Kodi - Multimedia/Entertainment center, formerly known as XBMC. Runs on Android, BSD, Linux, macOS, iOS and Windows. Kyoo - Innovative media browser designed for seamless streaming of anime, series and movies with dynamic transcoding and intelligent metadata. Meelo - Personal Music Server, designed for collectors and music maniacs.

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UPnP/DLNA Media Servers

Gerbera - UPnP Media Server for streaming throughout your home network to UPnP compatible devices.
  • Source Code
  • License: GPL-2.0
  • Platform: Docker/deb/C++
Rygel - UPnP AV MediaServer that allows you to share audio, video, and pictures. Supports MediaRenderer control via UPnP.

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Lightweight Alternatives

cmyflix - Minimalist Plex/Jellyfin alternative to stream video.

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Streaming Infrastructure

Icecast 2 - Streaming audio/video server for creating an Internet radio station or privately running jukebox. MediaMTX - Ready-to-use real-time media server and proxy for video/audio streams over SRT, WebRTC, RTSP, RTMP, HLS, MPEG-TS, RTP. MistServer - Public domain streaming media server supporting RTMP, HLS, and more. µStreamer - Lightweight and very quick server to stream MJPEG video from any V4L2 device to the net.

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Specialized Platforms

ClipBucket - Video sharing website (YouTube/Netflix Clone) in minutes. Karaoke Eternal - Host karaoke parties where everyone can queue songs from their phone. Browser-based player with MP3+G, MP4 support. NymphCast - Turn Linux hardware into an audio and video source for TV or speakers (Chromecast alternative). Stash - Web-based library organizer and player for adult media with auto-tagging and metadata scraping. üWave ⚠ - Self-hosted collaborative listening platform. Users take turns playing media from YouTube, SoundCloud, etc.

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Jellyfin vs Plex vs Emby

Pros:
  • Completely free and open source
  • No phone-home or tracking
  • Active development community
  • No premium features locked behind paywall
Cons:
  • Fewer third-party apps than Plex
  • Some features still maturing
Best For: Privacy-conscious users, self-hosters who want full control
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Choose Your Server

  • Jellyfin: Best all-around FOSS choice
  • Kodi: For local playback and home theater
  • Gerbera: For UPnP/DLNA networks
2

Organize Media

/media/
  /movies/
    /Movie Name (Year)/
      Movie Name (Year).mkv
  /tv/
    /Show Name/
      /Season 01/
        Show Name - S01E01.mkv
  /music/
    /Artist/
      /Album/
3

Configure Transcoding

Enable hardware acceleration if available:
  • Intel Quick Sync
  • NVIDIA NVENC
  • AMD AMF
  • VA-API (Linux)
4

Install Clients

  • Jellyfin: Apps for iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV
  • Kodi: Available on most platforms as standalone
  • Web: All servers include web interfaces

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Protocol Support

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Streaming Protocols

  • HLS (HTTP Live Streaming): Most compatible, supported by Jellyfin, Kyoo
  • RTMP: Traditional streaming, supported by Icecast, MediaMTX
  • RTSP: IP camera standard, supported by MediaMTX
  • WebRTC: Low latency, supported by MediaMTX
  • UPnP/DLNA: Home network standard, supported by Gerbera, Rygel

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Media Formats

Most servers support:
  • Video: MP4, MKV, AVI, WebM, MOV
  • Audio: MP3, FLAC, AAC, OGG, OPUS
  • Subtitles: SRT, ASS, SSA, VTT

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Performance Tips

Enable GPU transcoding to reduce CPU load:
  • Jellyfin: Configure in Dashboard > Playback
  • Requires: Compatible GPU and drivers
  • Benefit: 5-10x faster transcoding
Direct Play: Stream original file (fast, no CPU usage)
  • Requires client support for codec
  • Best quality, lowest server load
Transcoding: Convert on-the-fly (slower, high CPU)
  • Needed for incompatible codecs
  • Required for bandwidth limiting
  • Use efficient codecs (H.265/HEVC for video)
  • Consider SSD for server database
  • Keep media on large HDD storage
  • Enable automatic library scanning

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Network Configuration

Remote Access SecurityWhen exposing your media server to the internet:
  • Use HTTPS with valid certificates
  • Implement strong authentication
  • Consider using VPN instead of direct exposure
  • Use reverse proxy (Nginx, Caddy) for additional security
  • Enable fail2ban or similar brute-force protection
For family sharing, Jellyfin’s user management with separate libraries per user is excellent. Each user can have their own watch history and preferences.

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